they didn't initialy inspired me to start playing guitar, 'cause i didn't even heard of them back in those days... but they certainly inspired and steered my music style generally since the day i heard their first song... the way i play, the sound i'm trying to achive, all of that is the credit of STP... i always thought of them as a rock geniuses... i mean... Roberts technique is just brilliant, he combined all the best techniques he could find out there... i dunno... HE'S THE BEST THERE IS !!! ... and Deans riff ripping style is just for the school books... every solo of his is just breathtaking... i mean... they totally inspired me musically... they are the true music and artistic archetypes, simply the BEST for me !